La Mondotte 2018

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Mondotte strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of candied violets, licorice, hoisin and black truffles with a waft of ground cloves. It's medium to full-bodied with seriously impressive tension and wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins supporting the generous black fruit preserves layers, finishing with amazing length and loads of panache. It will require a good 4-5 years to unlock some of its finer nuances, then drink this powerhouse over the next 25+ years. Drink 2025-2050.

The 2018 La Mondotte, matured in 70% new oak, has retained a very focused and well-defined bouquet of intense cranberry, raspberry, sage and light marine scents. It is tightly packed and certainly benefits from decanting. The poised palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a silky-smooth texture. It then turns a little spicier, with desiccated orange peel and a background tang of marmalade emerging toward quite a complex and engaging finish. This is a fabulous La Mondotte that deserves cellaring. Drink 2024-2040.

Blackberry, plum, mushroom and wood undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Savory and fleshy texture on the palate. Well balanced. Flavorful finish with length. Such polish and composure for a young wine. So classy! Try after 2026.

Black core with narrow purple rim. Very ripe black fruit, so much so that it's got a touch of black olive. But also spice and dark chocolate. Rich and complex. Powerful and surprisingly juicy but the tannins are just a touch hard on the finish – perhaps it's the alcohol effect?
Drink 2025-2032

Glass-staining deep purple in the glass, with a nose of sweet vanilla, char and tarry damsons. The palate is high octane and rich, with a full body and high alcohol. This is a real blockbuster of concentrated cassis, coconut and cherry cola. The tannins are balanced, ripe and chalky, and let the liquorice, menthol and raisined fruit power through to a long finish, which is warming and very smoky.

The 2018 La Mondotte is another incredibly classy wine from proprietor Stefan von Neipperg and comes from a beautiful terroir situated above Pavie Decesse. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it offers a seamless display of crème de cassis, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality. Full-bodied, with massive amounts of fruit, full-bodied richness, and building tannins, it’s an infant and will require 4-6 years of bottle age, but it’s a brilliant Saint-Émilion that will keep for 2-3 decades.

(75 Merlot, 25 Cabernet Franc) | 70% new oak | 14.5% alc | Harvested between 20th September and 5th October | Certified Organic As always, the fruit is densely packed, powerful and wild in this wine and in 2018 it is fiercely tannic, too. Built from sturdy ingredients, this is a muscular wine, but it is possible to see the tender fruit inside its hulking frame. The nose is super-ripe and the fruit is coulis-like with its intensity and while it is an incredibly youthful creation, the balance of all of the constituent elements is there.